[He rubs at his lips and takes a moment to compose his thoughts.] You have a bond with Miles because you were sworn directly to him. To me because he is sworn to serve me as a member of my house. To Gregor because I am sworn to serve him as Regent of Barrayar in my time- Count and Prime Minister in his.
In this manner, every subject is at least distantly sworn to Gregor. And in a way becomes a representative governance and a social structure based on loyalty and accountability.
Armsmen are quite different in who they answer to. They are insurance against an Emperor who strikes against a Count or in a civil war... and the limit of Armsmen is insurance that a Count cannot easily strike against the Emperor or stage a civil war with only one District.
[As the explanation goes long, there's a pause here as the server returns, plates laid in front of both of them. He takes a sip of his coffee before continuing.]
To make it simple, you are in essence loyal to Barrayar by remaining loyal to the House, but Gregor would break an enormous social contract to directly order you.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2016-04-26 04:13 am (UTC)In this manner, every subject is at least distantly sworn to Gregor. And in a way becomes a representative governance and a social structure based on loyalty and accountability.
Armsmen are quite different in who they answer to. They are insurance against an Emperor who strikes against a Count or in a civil war... and the limit of Armsmen is insurance that a Count cannot easily strike against the Emperor or stage a civil war with only one District.
[As the explanation goes long, there's a pause here as the server returns, plates laid in front of both of them. He takes a sip of his coffee before continuing.]
To make it simple, you are in essence loyal to Barrayar by remaining loyal to the House, but Gregor would break an enormous social contract to directly order you.